Police, political tools of suppression during elections – FODEP

The Foundation for Democratic Process (FODEP) has said the outcome of the just ended Malambo and Petauke Central parliamentary by-elections reflect the will of the people because they willingly decided on their preferred candidates.

FODEP Director McDonald Chipenzi has since congratulated Ms. Dora Siliya for Petauke Central seat and Mr. Jacob Shuma for Malambo constituency for maintaining peace on the voting day in the two constituencies.

Mr. Chipenzi said the victory of the two was well deserved.

He however expressed deepest concern at the manner the Mulobezi by-election was conducted and managed by stakeholders such as the Zambia Police, who he said have continued to be used as political tools of suppression during elections.

He said the arrest of opposition campaign team and other members in Mulobezi by the police leaving out the ruling party was a serious blow to the credibility of the electoral outcome of the Mulobezi parliamentary by-election.

He said it was sad that the police confiscated machetes from the opposition members while guns were not confiscated from the ruling party supporters.

He has challenged the police to be professional adding that the persons who shot fellow citizens in Mulobezi should be brought to book regardless of their status in society.

Meanwhile, Police Spokesperson Charity Munganga-Chanda has said the Mulobezi electoral violence was still under investigation.

Ms. Chanda explained that there were no guns found at the scene of violence.

She argued that the police were professional and that they know what they were required to do.

She further said the police cannot disclose what was happening underground regarding the matter.

Ms. Chanda said reiterated that no one was above the law and that all persons found wanting will be brought to book.